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Lab chief told feds of suspicious Armstrong test
(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-06-02 11:51
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LOS ANGELES - The director of the Swiss anti-doping laboratory informed federal authorities last year that Lance Armstrong's test results from the 2001 Tour de Suisse were "suspicious" and "consistent with EPO use," The Associated Press has learned.
The revelation came to light Wednesday as attorneys for Armstrong demanded an on-air apology from CBS' television program "60 Minutes" after Saugy told a Swiss newspaper that the lab found suspicious levels of EPO, a blood-boosting drug, in four urine samples from the race Armstrong won. But Saugy said he didn't know if any belonged to the seven-time Tour de France winner.
That was contrary to what he said in his statement made to officials from the FBI, the Food and Drug Administration and anti-doping authorities, the person familiar with the investigation told the AP. Though Saugy was not under oath, there are potential legal ramifications for lying to authorities working on a federal probe.
"60 Minutes" first reported that Saugy told US officials and the FBI that there was a "suspicious" test result from the 2001 Tour de Suisse. "This was confirmed by a number of international officials who have linked the 'suspicious' test to Armstrong," CBS News Chairman and "60 Minutes" executive producer Jeff Fager said in a statement.
In a letter sent to Fager, lawyer Elliot Peters said the May 22 segment about Armstrong was built on a series of falsehoods, and he accused the reputable CBS show of sloppy journalism.
"In the cold light of morning your story was either extraordinarily shoddy, to the point of being reckless and unprofessional, or a vicious hit-and-run job," Peters wrote. "In either case, a categorical on-air apology is required."
Fager said the network stood by its story.
"60 Minutes" also reported there was a meeting between Saugy, Armstrong and the manager of his US Postal team, Johan Bruyneel. On Wednesday, the person familiar with the investigation told the AP that Saugy confirmed to officials investigating doping in cycling that, after learning of the test results, he met with Armstrong and Bruyneel, at the direction of the International Cycling Union.
David Howman, director general of the Montreal-based World Anti-Doping Agency, confirmed to the AP that Saugy had talked to him about suspicious results from the 2001 Tour de Suisse and an ensuing meeting set up by UCI that included people Saugy "didn't anticipate" would be there.
Armstrong attorney Mark Fabiani criticized the AP's reporting saying:
"In an investigation characterized by unlawful leaks, it is amazing how quickly the leaker responded to today's '60 Minutes' letter, by reaching out to the AP in Los Angeles, and leaking some more. It is time for the press to stop giving comfort to this lawless form of character assassination and name names. Who is leaking this information? Whoever is doing so is committing a crime and should be investigated for it."
Saugy didn't respond to an email asking for comment.
Federal officials are now in their second year of investigating doping in cycling. A Los Angeles-based grand jury is hearing evidence that could lead to charges of fraud, conspiracy and drug trafficking against Armstrong and his team.
Armstrong has denied doping, long invoking the fact that he has never tested positive.
A "suspicious" test "consistent with EPO use," is not a positive, though anti-doping authorities prefer to see the data from such a test.
The AP has learned that on three occasions, Saugy told authorities about the Armstrong tests and had agreed to turn over the results to anti-doping officials. But he never produced them, which prompted the US Anti-Doping Agency to send him a letter in April asking for the evidence.
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